Portable basal metabolism apparatus



May 31, 1955 P. TRAUGOTT PORTABLE BASAL METABOLISM APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 195] 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ii 1 I M PAUL TRAUG-OTT ATTORNEYS May 31, 1955 P. TRAUGOTT PORTABLE BASAL METABOLISM APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PAUL TRAUGOTT ATTORNEYS Unite PUFRTAELE BASAL METABOLISM APPARATUS Paul 'lraugott, Greenwich, Conn assignor to Electro- Physical Laboratories, Inc., Stamford, Conn., a corporation of tlounecticnt This invention relates to improved basal metabolism measuring apparatus, particularly of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 195,831, filed November 15, 1950, for Basal Metabolism Measuring Apparatus, of which this application is a continuationin-part.

It is the major object of the present invention to provide improvements in and novel associations of the components of such apparatus, which produce apparatus characterized by overall simplicity of operation, uniformly accurate and reproducible results and increased patient comfort.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved and simplified control system for basal metabolism apparatus whereby the apparatus may be operated by even semi-skilled technicians without impairment of accuracy of the test results.

it is also an object to provide an improved basal metabolism apparatus incorporating a number of improved components notably the spirometer, valving arrangement and the control system which co-operate to further increase accuracy and increase patient comfort.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved basal metabolism apparatus which minimizes the possibility of transmission of disease from one patient to a succeeding patient, this being accomplished by the utilization of single test, quickly disposable carbon dioxide absorption device.

it is a further object of the invention to provide a novel oxygen cartridge opening arrangement in a basal metabolism apparatus.

it is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved self-contained light Weight and readily portable basal metabolism measuring apparatus.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a partially diagrammatic top plan view of a portable basal metabolism apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is vertical section taken along line 22 of Figure 1 illustrating details of the spirometer and other parts;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken along line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line d'l of Figure 1 and illustrating details of the novel oxygen cartridge mounting and opening apparatus;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1 and illustrating details of the novel valving arrangement; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged illustration of a modification of the apparatus wherein a single test carbon dioxide filter cartridge is employed.

The major components of the basal metabolism measuring apparatus according to the present invention are a spirometer Ill, source of oxygen 12, a filter device 13 for extracting carbon dioxide, 2. valving apparatus 14 ates Patent ce Zflflbgdiid Patented May 331, 1955 and a recording apparatus 15, suitably connected and compactly arranged in a light weight housing 16 as more fully explained hereinafter.

Housing 16 is closed at its top by a horizontal wall member 17 which supports most of the recording apparatus and the operating controls. A suitable top cover (not shown) having a carrying handle may be detachably secured to the housing 16 to enclose the otherwise exposed mechanism and for portability. The spirometer ll comprises a flexible bellows section 18 attached at its open end to a vertically extending wall it) rigidly suspended from top wall 17. The outer closed freely movable end wall 21 of the spirometer carries a recording pen 22 which, upon reciprocation of the free end of the bellows, is moved back and forth over the surface of a recording paper strip 23 driven at a constant linear speed by a friction roll 24 positioned beneath an idler roll 23. Roll 24 is driven at a constant speed through a chain drive 26 operated by a synchronous electric motor shown diagrammatically at 27.

Indicated generally at 23 is a compensating mechanism which functions automatically to neutralize the inherent spring forces in the bellows so that extension or contraction of the bellows will be at all times directly proportional to the amount of gas introduced into or Withdrawn from the bellows as the patient breathes. This compensating mechanism comprises on each side a gear 29 idly mounted on a shaft St? on bellows wall 21. Gear 29 carries an eccentric weight 31 and is constantly meshed with a rack 32 rigid with a horizontal bar 33 secured to wall 19. A guide bracket having side guide rollers 35 and horizontal guide rollers 36 engaging bar 33 is also secured to bellows wall Weight 31 is normally vertical in the neutral position of the bellows, and displacement of wall 21 in either direction causes the weight to introduce a force component compens 1g for inherent or built-in spring action of the bellows. This compensating mechanism is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 238,971, filed July 27, 1-951, for Bellows, and now abandoned.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, three conduits .71, 33- and 39 extend through the Wall 2% into the interior of the spirometer. The conduit 33 terminates at its other end in a cylindrical casing 41 in which is received a lime canister 4-2. The casing 41 which is rigidly attached to the top wall 17 is provided with a removable cover 43 tightly clamped in place by a screw 3-4 threaded into a cross bar 45 supported on pins to attached to the top wall 17. The lime canister 42 may thus be readily replaced after a predetermined number or uses by releasing screw 44, swinging bar 45 aside removing cover 45, all of which are readily accessible above the top wall A conduit 47, in which is mounted a one way check valve 48, connects the bottom of the casing 41 to the valving structure M, which may be supported in any suitable manner within the housing 16. ZThe conduit 37 which is provided with a one way checl: valve 5-9 leads directly from the spirometer chamber to the upper portion of the manifold 54) of valve structure A face mask 5i is connected to manifolc 5 t flexible conduits 52 and 53 that extend through t' wall of housing in. Slidably supported at one manifold 50 is a two position vertical valve plate 54- ing a horizontal lower lip 55' extending ac oss the entire cross-section of the manifold chamber. Valve plate 54-, in the position of Figure 5, comprises a land 5'6 for closing conduit 37, a land 57 for closing conduit 47, and an aperture 58. A pin 59 rigid with plate 54 projects through a vertically elongated aperture 6; in manifold 50. Pin 59 is connected to a rod 62 which is attached at its upper end to a lever 63 pivotally mounted on the under side of wall 17 at 64. The free end of lever s3 is I.) attached to plunger 65 which extends slidably upwardly through wall 17 to terminate in a readily accessible operating head 66.

When the valve plate 54 occupies the position shown in Figure 5, the conduits 37 and 47 are closed, while the conduits S2 and 53 are in free communication with the interior of housing 16 through aperture 61. When plunger 65 is raised so as ot locate valve plate 54 in its upper position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, conduits 52 and 37 are in direct communication through the lower part of the manifold, lip 55 separating the manifold into two parts for the purpose.

It will also be noted from Figure 5 that, when plunger s5 is raised, lever 63 closes insulated electrical contacts s7 and 65% mounted respectively on wall 17 and lever 63. This closes a power circuit including leads 69 and 71 energizing motor 27 which drives the roll 24 to move the recording chart 23 under the recording pen. A detent 7Q latches the plunger in one of these two positions.

Referring now to Figure 4, the oxygen source at 12 comprises a small cartridge 72 containing a predetermined amount of oxygen under pressure, usually one liter. Cartridge 72 projects through an aperture 73 in wall 17 and its reduced neck is seated on an annular block 74 of rubber or other resilient material mounted on a platform 75 attached as by screws 76 to wall 17. Cartridge 72 is clamped against block 74 by a lever 77 pivoted at one end on post 78 upstanding from wall 17. The free end of lever 77 carries a screw 79 threaded into wall 17. below plate 75 by any suitable means, not shown, to compress an electrically insulating gasket 82 sealingly between block 81 and plate 75.

At its upper end block 21 carries a sharp pin extending upwardly through the gasket 82 into the central opening of rubber ring 74. Pin 85 is hollow and is seated on a shoulder formed in a bore 86 in block 81. The tip 37 of the pin functions as a hollow needle as will appear. Conduit 39 is connected to the lower end of bore 86.

When it is desired to introduce the contents of cartridge tured oxygen passes through pin 85, bore 86 and conduit 39 into the spirometer chamber. The cartridge neck is in sealing contact with rubber ring 74 so that no oxygen escapes other than into pin 85.

To prevent premature puncturing of the cap of cartridge 72 and inadvertent release of the oxygen, the present invention provides means for indicating when the point of pin 55 arrives in contact with the cartridge. To this end a warning lamp 88, shown diagrammatically in Figure 4, is mounted on the wall 17 and energized from power leads 8) and 91. Lead 89 is connected to the metal housing. Lamp 88 is connected in series in line 91 and a lead 92 is grounded to the metal of block 31. Thus when the cartridge 72 is forced downwardly into contact with the tip of pin 85 the circuit through lamp 38 will be closed so that the operator may at once ascertain this condition. When this position is reached only slight tightening of the screw 79 will rupture the cartridge 72 and release the oxygen.

In operation, mask 51 is fitted to the patients face with all of the components occupying the position shown in full lines in the drawings. The patients breath will circulate freely through conduits 52 and 53 and through aperture 61 into the interior of the housing. The machine is energized by closing main switch 93 which connects leads 71 and 91 to a power source, and screw 79 is tightened until lamp 88 lights.

The operator then pulls up plunger 65 to connect conduits 37 and 47 respectively and close aperture 61. Then screw 79 is tightened until oxygen from cartridge 72 passes through conduit 72 into the spirometer chamber.

A rigid metal block 81 is suitably mounted As the patient continues to breathe into the face mask, the exhaled air passes through conduits 53 and 47 and check valve 48, line canister 42 where CO2 is removed, and through conduit 38 into the spirometer chamber. When the patient inhales check valve 49 will permit air to pass through conduit 37, the upper part of manifold 50 and conduit 52 back to the face mask.

The test is continued and the movement of the recording instrument i5 is observed in the manner well known in the art.

Upon completion of the test, the valve plate 54 is returned to its lower or closed position by pushing down plunger 65, and the cartridge 72 is removed and discarded, a new cartridge being inserted for the next test.

in the embodiment of Figure 6 the spirometer bellows conduit 37 is connected to a flexible conduit 94 and face mask 51 is connected to a flexible conduit 95. The adjacent ends of conduits 4 and 95 are provided with bayonet type fittings 96 and 97 which cooperate with similar fittings on the ends of a lime cartridge Lime canister 98 is of suitable structure having open ends so that inhalation and exhalation force air therethrough in opposite directions. Preferably it is of small size and inexpensive construction because it is to be discarded, like the oxygen cartridge, after a single test use. The advantage of this is to prevent any danger of disease transmission such as might exist in the larger multi-test lime canisters used in present day conventional basal metabolism apparatus. In this apparatus valve 14 is omitted, and motor 27 is started by a suitable switch.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteris tics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, a recorder having a movable chart and a coacting movable record making element, an electric motor connected to drive said chart, a switch in the motor circuit, means defining an expansible and contractible spirometer chamber, means operably connecting said chamber to said element for moving the latter in response to breathing by a patient, conduit means connected to said chamber and having an outer end connected for a face mask, valve means in said conduit means, and a manual control member connected to said valve means and said switch for opening said valve means and at the same time closing said switch for starting said motor when a test is to be started.

2. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, means defining a spirometer chamber, an oxygen inlet conduit connected at one end to said chamber, a cartridge containing oxygen under pressure in an accurately predetermined amount sufiicient for a single clinical test, means removably mounting said cartridge in said apparatus adjacent the other end of said conduit, a member mounted adjacent said cartridge and having a longitudinal passage therethrough connected to said conduit, and means for relatively moving the cartridge and member for puncturing the cartridge and leading the oxygen oif through said passage and conduit into said chamber, and means for sealing against escape of oxygen except through said passage.

3. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, means defining a spirometer chamber, an oxygen cartridge containing an accurately predetermined amount of oxygen under pressure sufficient for a single clinical test, means for removably mounting and rupturing said oxygen cartrid ge comprising a resilient annular socket adapted to Mal engage said cartridge on one side of the socket, a pin rigidly projecting Within said socket on the other side and having a longitudinal passage therethrougli, a conduit connecting said passage to said chamber, and means for forcing said cartridge into tight sealing engagement with said socket and relatively moving said cartridge and pin for causing said pin to puncture the cartridge to permit escape of said oxygen through said passage and conduit into said chamber.

4. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, means defining a spirometer chamber, an oxygen inlet conduit connected to said chamber, a metal cartridge containing oxygen under pressure in an accurately predetermined amount sufiicient for a single clinical test, a pin of electrically conductive material mounted adjacent said cartridge and having a longitudinal passage connected to said conduit, means mounting said cartridge adjacent but spaced from said pin, an electrical circuit containing a lamp connected at opposite sides to said cartridge and said pin, means for relatively moving said cartridge and said pin for puncturing said cartridge and leading off oxygen through said passage, said circuit being closed to light said lamp when the cartridge and pin come into contact, and means for sealing against escape of oxygen except through said pin.

5. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, means defining a spirometer chamber, a cartridge containing oxygen under pressure in an accurately predetermined amount sufficient for a single clinical test, means mounting said cartridge in said apparatus, a hollow conduit member mounted adjacent said cartridge and connected to said chamber, and means for relatively moving the cartridge and hollow member for puncturing the cartridge and leading the oxygen off through said hollow member, and means for sealing against escape of oxygen except through said hollow member.

6. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, means defining a spirometer chamber, a metal cartridge containing oxygen under pressure in an accurately predetermined amount sufiicient for a single clinical test, a hollow metal conduit member mounted adjacent said cartridge and connected to said chamber, means mounting said cartridge adjacent but spaced from said member, an electrical circuit containing a lamp and a source of energy and connected at opposite sides to said cartridge and said hollow member, means for relatively moving said cartridge and said hollow member for puncturing said cartridge and leading ofI oxygen through said hollow member, said circuit being closed to light said lamp when the cartridge and hollow member come into contact, and means for sealing against escape of oxygen except through said hollow member.

7. In a basal metabolism measuring apparatus, means defining a spirometer chamber, an oxygen cartridge containing an accurately predetermined amount of oxygen under pressure sufficient for a single clinical test, means for mounting and rupturing said oxygen cartridge comprising a resilient annular socket adapted to engage said cartridge on one side of the socket, a hollow pin rigidly projecting within said socket on the other side, means defining a passage connecting said hollow pin to said chamber, and means for forcing said cartridge into sealing engagement with said socket and relatively moving said cartridge and pin for causing said pin to puncture the cartridge to permit escape of said oxygen through said pin and passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,105,487 Lozon Jan. 18, 1938 2,172,038 Scholander Sept. 5, 1939 2,290,940 Carson July 28, 1943 2,533,685 Nurkieweiz Dec. 12. 1950 

